What is a studio apartment and how is it different?

Studio apartments in a new building. What is this?

The layout of the studios combines a living room and a kitchen, and in some cases they do not include a bedroom. They are quite ergonomically designed and multifunctional.

Studio apartments can be characterized as residential premises, which in most cases consist of a single room (less often two or three rooms), which appeared in new buildings in large cities approximately 5 - 6 years ago. The main difference between such residential premises and other housing is the concept of open space. More specifically, the studio interior is a residential area without isolated rooms, with the exception of the bathroom. But this term is also used in more loyal cases.

For example, the prefix “studio” is also used in relation to rooms that are not equipped with internal partitions that separate the living room from the kitchen, but have other isolated rooms. You can often hear about such housing stock that they are “mixed type apartments” or “a la studio”.

Pros of a studio apartment in a new building

The fundamental advantages of the studio include:

There are no corridors, which means the room looks visually larger.
Ease of upgrading with furniture and decor;
Repairs will not require much time or financial investment.

Cons of a studio apartment

But when comparing one-room and studio apartments, it follows that even those purchased on the “secondary” housing market also have their inherent advantages.

Firstly, this is an isolated kitchen area, as a result of which odors, both pleasant and not so pleasant, will not leak into the guest room or bedroom, which is problematic to prevent in studio apartments.

Secondly, the main disadvantage of such premises is the inability to retire and remain “invisible” to society, as can be done even in the tiniest one-room apartment. As a result, when choosing a living space for permanent residence, these facts cannot be ignored!

Studio apartment – what is it?

A studio apartment is one of the new types of housing on the domestic real estate market. Its distinctive feature is its low cost, which allows low-income categories of the population to make a purchase. It is generally accepted that a studio apartment is a room with a small area. Often this characteristic is justified. But this definition is erroneous.

The studio apartment primarily received this name due to the layout features. Characteristic features of this type of housing include:

the absence of interior partitions, forming a single living space;
the presence of doors and walls only for technical rooms (bathroom, toilet, pantry);
The kitchen is connected to the common living space.

In most cases, studio apartments are smaller in size than residential premises, including one, two, or more rooms. But some studio apartments belong to the class of luxury housing, and their area is 60 square meters or more.

The basic version of a studio apartment has one window that does not have access to a balcony or loggia. Separate areas have been created in the room, used as a kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Partitions between zones are installed individually in design projects.

The difficulty in defining a studio apartment lies in the fact that Russian standards and building codes do not include a term describing this type of housing.

The layout of studio apartments was developed in the United States in the 20s of the last century. In America and Europe, this type of housing has gained wide popularity among people, regardless of their social status and financial capabilities. The domestic construction market adopted the arrangement of studio apartments 50 years later. Their price is on average 25% lower than standard apartments presented in the same segment.

Which is better: a one-room or a studio apartment in a new building?

At the moment, studios in new buildings have occupied a fairly large segment of the real estate market. The main incentive for such an acquisition is still the minimum budget for the purchase, which is considered the main argument for the mass of potential owners, as well as a simple layout and democratic operation. For more information, read the article on comparing one-room and studio

Cost of a studio apartment in a new building

Among the main disadvantages of a studio apartment are the small area and the need to spend the night in the kitchen. Thus, according to some data, such premises are valued at 30% cheaper than a one-room apartment. And in some cases the difference can be 40 - 50%. For example, in the capital, in one residential complex, studios with an area of 29.5 square meters are sold at a price of 4.57 - 4.89 million rubles, while one-room apartments with about 43 - 44 square meters are priced at 6. 57 – 6.79 million rubles.

As for apartments - studios in one of the residential areas of the capital, with a total area of 25 - 31 square meters, they can be purchased for 5.9 - 7.2 million rubles, while a similar room in a one-room apartment, amounting to approximately 44 – 50 square meters, you simply can’t find it cheaper than 8.7 million.

To summarize: the pros and cons of a studio apartment

As you can see, studio apartments are housing that claims to follow the latest trends, but, at the same time, are represented in completely different consumer segments. For those who cannot afford expensive apartments, the studio provides an additional opportunity to visually and functionally increase the existing footage.

On the other hand, this option cannot be called absolutely economical:

firstly, converting an ordinary apartment into a studio will require considerable financial, time and even moral costs;
secondly, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to properly furnish your studio with furniture aesthetically and functionally on your own—you’ll have to hire a designer.

Another disadvantage is that such housing is designed for a certain, rather narrow category of residents, most of whom, in turn, will sooner or later leave this category.

So, young families will soon have children, the children will grow up and require separate rooms, and they will have to take in their elderly parents. Moreover, any newfangled trend eventually becomes a relic of the past.

One of the undeniable arguments in favor of the studio is its ease of use by a single person. Moreover, if he devotes most of his time to work and practically does not cook at home.

Those who are captivated by painful doubts about the advisability of purchasing a studio should seriously think about another, in a sense, a compromise option - a partial combination of rooms (living room and kitchen).

Video: how a family with a child lives in a small studio apartment

Having seen the exquisite interiors of spacious and bright studio apartments in pictures of glossy magazines, many today are beginning to think about purchasing such housing or remodeling their own. However, it should be understood that in addition to undeniable advantages, this format also has many disadvantages, and in addition, it is not suitable for every family. Therefore, before you plunge headlong into an expensive adventure, you should think several times.

Author: ozakone
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Who are studio apartments suitable for?

A lot of promotions guarantee a “unique ratio of cost and quality”, “an apartment for the cost of a room” and other bright prospects that focus the attention of a potential client, in most cases on affordability. Today, a studio apartment in a new building costs relatively less than other modern residential premises under other equivalent conditions.

As mentioned earlier, an ordinary one-room apartment in a similar structure costs approximately 20-40% more than a studio space. Moreover, the price per square meter in traditional type premises turns out to be much lower, as a result of which buyers of small-sized apartments must constantly overpay. Consequently, the target audience for purchasing housing of this type is almost completely formed: traditionally its base consists of young couples without children, bachelors and people of retirement age.

Some analysts give other examples, but one thing remains unchanged: for the majority of buyers, such small-sized housing stock is not the final solution to the problem associated with a permanent place of residence. Basically, any studio in a residential complex is considered only a forced location, which is used before moving to a more spacious living space.

In addition, this option is perfect for a “start in life”, since you should not forget that apartments of a larger area, but purchased on the secondary real estate market, have their own negative features, which are expressed in the deterioration of communications, dilapidation and other unforeseen consequences for which secondary housing is “famous” housing. As for the studio apartments, they are distinguished by their modern infrastructure and youthful social environment.

Small studio apartment

A studio apartment is housing, the main difference of which is the absence of walls and partitions between the kitchen and other rooms. At the same time, it has all the functionality of a regular apartment. This layout is ideal for young, modern people who love experiments and fashion trends.

The main mistake in decorating a studio apartment with a small square footage, oddly enough, is not the lack of space, but the improper organization of filling this space.

Artistic skills, natural materials, functional furniture, as well as properly selected decor will help you organize a luxury apartment for a family from a compact apartment.

The cost of a studio apartment in Moscow and Russia

Depending on the location of the apartments, a rating of residential premises in new buildings in the capital and Moscow region, which are relatively affordable in terms of price equivalent, was recorded. A secret client, looking at new economy class buildings, noticed that the most advantageous offers in the Moscow region are considered to be studio space and apartments, ranging in size from 17 to 35 square meters, and valued from 1 to 7.8 million rubles. Inexpensive and tiny apartments in the capital are valued at 2.5 million rubles in a new building located 2 kilometers from the Vodny Stadium metro station.

This project is distinguished by its special comfort, developed infrastructure, high ceilings and open layouts, and the parameters of such housing are considered from 17.85 square meters and above. This residential property is located in close proximity to the Golovinsky ponds and an old estate, an oak park area, which creates an excellent ecological environment.

In the club residential complex in the Yaroslavl district, the area is 30.55 sq.m. estimated at 5 million rubles. If we talk about business-class housing, then studio premises are located starting from the second floor, and the layout of new buildings of this type provides for open terraces absolutely everywhere. Potential clients can, in addition to everything else, place an order for fine finishing of any level.

Studios in buildings under construction in the Moscow region are priced even more democratically. “The cheapest studio-type apartments can be bought for less than 1 million rubles. Basically, for this price it is quite possible to purchase a studio with an area of approximately 23 - 26 square meters, located at a decent distance from the Moscow Ring Road along the eastern branch,” says the marketing director of one well-known company, said the head of the information and analytical department.

As for other regions of Russia, a similar trend can be traced using specific examples. Thus, buying a studio in a new house in St. Petersburg is today considered one of the most relevant options for purchasing budget housing. In the comfortable new buildings of this city, such housing stock is distinguished by its modest dimensions and unique layout. Otherwise, studio apartments are no worse than ordinary residential premises.

For example, the residential complex on Optikov, 34, which is being built at the intersection of Yakhtennaya and Optikov streets, provides for the commissioning of studio premises with the following parameters:

Square general	Square residential	Square kitchens	Bathroom	Balcony	Price per m2	Price
26.8	15.4	5.1	Separated	There is	RUB 108,545	RUB 2,909,006
22.4	10.1	5	Separated	There is	RUB 116,786	RUB 2,616,006

If we take new buildings in Sochi as an example, then all small residential premises (up to 60 square meters) are studios. Comparing the number of studios and one-room apartments that are sold in this city, we can safely imagine a percentage ratio of 80:20

Renovated studio apartments

Unlike the Russian Federation, in European countries the mandatory quality standard is the sale of apartments that already include finishing; this rule can also be applied to studio apartments. The buyer moves to an area prepared for living, which only needs to be furnished and decorated according to his individual preferences.

Moscow developers naturally took this trend into account and are currently offering housing options with finishing touches. Moreover, it should be noted that the demand for them is steadily growing. Due to the fact that studio living spaces for most are only a temporary solution to the housing problem, therefore, decorating such an apartment does not bring much pleasure.

Moreover, repairs in such premises, at the prices of many repair organizations, are practically no different from other full-fledged residential premises, which means that the best option is to purchase an apartment with finishing, rather than spending on finishing work in an area where long-term residence is not planned.

What is the difference

From a legal point of view, a residential studio is no different from an ordinary one-room apartment. There is no difference between these concepts. But we must take into account that this concept is not officially enshrined in the law, so everyone can interpret it in their own way. The generally accepted view is that this is a special type of apartment in which there is a single internal space without partitions.

As a rule, studios are small in area. But there are also elite options that can be larger in size than even a multi-room apartment. The free layout in them is an advantage, allowing you to organize the internal space in accordance with the wishes of the owner.

A studio can be either residential or non-residential (apartment). In the latter case, the difference from an apartment lies in the purpose of this room.

According to Part 2 of Article 15 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, a premises is recognized as residential if it meets the sanitary and technical rules and standards established by law, as a result of which it is suitable for permanent residence. Article 16 of the Housing Code refers to residential premises:

residential building and its part;
apartment and part thereof;
room.

Studios are not designated as an independent type of residential premises. There is no separate definition for them either in the Housing Code of the Russian Federation or in the Code of Rules SP 54.13330.2016 “Residential multi-apartment buildings”, which contains basic concepts in the field of construction of multi-apartment buildings.

Studio apartments for rent

Despite the minor inconveniences, studio living spaces are a type of housing that is constantly in high demand. If possible, such housing can not only be quickly sold, but also rented out. Renting a studio in this situation is comparable to the amount of money that can be obtained from renting out a full-fledged one-room apartment. According to expert studies, the difference under other similar conditions does not exceed 5%.

It should be noted that renting a studio in new buildings is very popular among young people who come to large cities to study, but do not want to stay in big cities after graduating from university, so studio rental housing for them is an ideal option for living and implementing maximalist youthful ideas!

Studio apartment interior design

What is the difference between a studio apartment and a studio apartment?

How to understand: a studio apartment or an ordinary one-room apartment?

The answer to this question can be found by examining the following criteria:

Layout. A regular apartment is clearly divided into separate rooms, while a studio apartment only has a bathroom, leaving the rest of the space open. Purposes of use. Here, by the way studio apartments look, you can understand that 1-2 people can live in them, whereas more people usually live in a regular apartment. Type of building. Traditionally, studio apartments are located in monolithic buildings, where the presence of load-bearing columns is mandatory.

As for ordinary apartments, they are also built in panel houses, where the walls also play a load-bearing role. These factors must be taken into account when remodeling an ordinary apartment into a studio apartment.